Source: Wikimedia Commons
Joergensen's Elephant Beetle
AdvancedMegasoma joergenseni
A small, fully hairy elephant beetle of dry country from northern Argentina to Paraguay. Poorly documented in captivity; for advanced keepers.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
18℃
Lifespan
Larval period 2-3 years (genus-level figure)
Size
30-40mm
Humidity
60〜80%
Diet
Beetle jelly, ripe fruit; larvae on fermented substrate
About
Joergensen's elephant beetle (Megasoma joergenseni) is a small Megasoma of central-northern Argentina and southeastern Bolivia, described by Bruch in 1910; Japanese sources also call it the southern pygmy elephant beetle. The whole body is pubescent, and at 30-40mm it is among the smallest in the genus. The 2020 revision by Prandi et al. places it in the subgenus Lycophontes of small species, with subspecies M. j. penyai restricted to the Chaco of central-western Paraguay (Loma Plata). Adults have been collected in January and February, and the larvae remain undescribed. As a dryland (Chaco) species it is rarely bred, and no established protocol for egg-laying or larval rearing exists. As a general rule for foreign beetles, keep above 18C in winter and avoid heat over 30C; expect the genus-level larval period of 2-3 years. Keep locality and subspecies labels on breeding lines.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Joergensen's Elephant Beetle
The Joergensen's Elephant Beetle lives Larval period 2-3 years (genus-level figure).
Size of the Joergensen's Elephant Beetle
The Joergensen's Elephant Beetle grows to 30-40mm.
Temperature & humidity for the Joergensen's Elephant Beetle
The ideal temperature for the Joergensen's Elephant Beetle is 18℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Central-northern Argentina, southeastern Bolivia, Paraguay (Chaco)
Lifespan
Care Specifications
Semi-aggressiveSolitaryBreeding: Hard
Sources: Beetle Farm: basic rearing guide / Wikipedia (Megasoma, ja) / Prandi et al. 2020, ZooKeys 999 (revision of the Megasoma gyas species group)
Breeding Records & Localities
Notable localities
Northern ArgentinaSoutheastern BoliviaParaguay (Chaco)
Regional subspecies
- Megasoma joergenseni joergenseni（Nominate subspecies） — Central-northern Argentina, southeastern Bolivia
- Megasoma joergenseni penyai — Central-western Paraguay (Chaco, Loma Plata)
No sourced captive size record was found.
Generation codes
- WD
- Wild-caught
- WF1
- Offspring of a wild-caught female
- F1〜
- Captive generations (same locality)
- CBF1
- Cross-locality captive-bred (reset)
Sources: Prandi et al. 2020, ZooKeys 999 (revision of the Megasoma gyas species group)
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Megasoma joergenseni (Bruch, 1910)
Synonyms: Lycophontes joergenseni Bruch, 1910
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / MOE Japan: import of Scarabaeoidea beetles
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Joergensen's Elephant Beetle Listings
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